The past, present and future of NECPs

a breakfast discussion with CCS Europe and Bellona Europa

On 3 December, we had the privilege of hosting a closed-door breakfast discussion on National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), in collaboration with our member Bellona Europa. The event brought together representatives from the EU27 Permanent Representations to the EU, fostering an engaging and constructive dialogue. With participation from national governments, the discussion underscored the critical role NECPs play in advancing climate goals and ensuring the success of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

Here are some of the standout takeaways from the conversation:

Member States Must Lead

While the EU has set ambitious targets for CO2 capture and storage, the real challenge lies in translating these into actionable plans at the national level. Success stories like Denmark—with its comprehensive approach covering strategic funding, infrastructure investment and transparent communications with the public —show what is possible when Member States take a proactive stance. However, many countries are still falling short, failing to integrate CCS meaningfully into their NECPs.

Public Perception Matters

Scaling up CCS efforts faces hurdles beyond technical and financial issues. Public concerns—particularly around the safety and long-term viability of CO2 storage, especially onshore—present significant barriers. The solution? Transparent communication, robust stakeholder engagement, and sharing of technical data at every level. Trust-building will be essential for public acceptance of CCS as a viable climate solution.

Closing Policy and Funding Gaps

The conversation highlighted gaps in both policy and funding mechanisms across Member States. Many NECPs lack the legal frameworks and financial tools necessary to support the entire CCS value chain. Key actions include:

• Revising the EU ETS to incentivize negative emissions.
• Strengthening cross-border transport and storage regulations to ensure seamless integration and collaboration.

Dive Deeper

Explore the current state of NECPs across the EU27 with our interactive map and dive deeper into Bellona Europa’s in-depth assessments to understand how we can drive national action and make CCS a cornerstone of Europe’s climate strategy.